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1 Sep 2008

Congrats to organisers of Gloucestershire Pride 08

One event I missed whilst away was Gloucestershire Pride 08 on Saturday 9th August. Having supported this in the past it was a shame to miss - but I heard from other Green party members that attended that hundreds of people took part -starting at 1pm outside the Shire Hall in Gloucester with a short rally then march to Llanthony Secunda Priory for music and more. Huge congrats to the organisers. See video here - and see petition below re asylum rights.

Photo: Rainbow Day 2006

Last year’s torrential July rain and subsequent flooding led to the cancellation of Pride events last year - a great pity after the success of the first celebration in Gloucestershire the previous year.

Gloucestershire Pride is the only Gay Pride on the ‘M5 corridor’ between Birmingham and Plymouth. Also 2008 is the 30th anniversary of the now internationally-recognised “Rainbow Flag”. This was designed by Gilbert Baker and first seen at what is now San Francisco Gay Pride in June 1978. See more re getting Rainbow flags flying on Council buildings here to celebrate the day.

Gloucestershire Pride 2009 is due to be held in Cheltenham on Saturday August 8, with Gloucester hosting again in 2010. See details here:www.gloucestershirepride.org.uk

1 comment:

Anonymous
said...

August 7th, 2008

SUSSEX MEP DEMANDS URGENT REVIEW OF UK'S REFUGEE RULES

HOME OFFICE 'INSTITUTIONALLY HOMOPHOBIC', SAYS LUCAS

SENDING gay and lesbian asylum seekers back to face persecution,imprisonment or execution in countries such as China and Iran puts the UK inbreach of international law, South-East MEP Caroline Lucas has warned.

The Euro-MP, who is a member of the European Parliament's cross-party LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) group, has joined three humanrights activists from Brighton and Hove in calling for a complete overhaulof the way LGBT asylum seekers are treated by the UK authorities.

"The Home Office has made great strides in recent years to eliminate racismfrom the way it upholds international law, but it's no exaggeration to saythat 'institutional homophobia' remains rife in the asylum system," said DrLucas.

"Gay and lesbian asylum seekers are still regularly deported back tocountries where they face persecution, punishment, torture or even executionsimply because of their sexuality - indeed there are 77 countries wherepractising homosexuality remains a criminal offence."

The UK is a signatory of the 1951 United Nation Refugee Convention, whichobliges us to grant refugee status to anyone 'fleeing a well-founded fear ofstate persecution' - a test easily met by any LGBT person coming from acountry where their practising their sexuality is outlawed.

Dr Lucas said to bring the UK system up to scratch all asylum judges must begiven clear advice from the Home Office that homophobic and transphobicpersecution are legitimate grounds for granting asylum, as well as guidanceon the true scale of LGBT persecution throughout the world using expertinformation from NGOs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Additionally, legal aid should be me available in asylum cases, and all caseofficers should receive compulsory training on sexual-orientation andtrans-awareness.

Dr Lucas added: "It really is time the Government started treating LGBTasylum seekers in accordance with our international legal obligations, andwith some humanity and dignity.

"After all, these are people who’ve often fled persecution, rape and torturewho flee to our country and our response is to lock them up like criminals."

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Dr Lucas's demands reflect those made in a petition to the Prime Ministerdrafted by three Brighton and Hove based human rights activists: PhelimMcCafferty, Nige Tart and Green councillor Amy Kennedy. To read thepetition, and sign it, visit: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/lgbtasylum/

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing."Arundhati Roy

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I note that these blogs entries may not be the views of the Green Party, but could be considered campaign material during an election. It must therefore be noted they are printed by, promoted by and on behalf of the Stroud District Green Party, 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6EL.